ALL SAINTS' ODELL CHURCH NEWS - November 2013
Click here to see our church brochure
Dear Friends,
When our children left home for university, we bought a Caranex – a small tent that fixes onto the back of a standard size car – intending to use it for short get-aways, just the two of us. It proved to be quite nifty, easily erected in a few minutes, but somehow we just didn’t seem to find the time to get away that often. Our camping days are long past, hips and knees requiring a proper bed, but now that David is semi-retired and looking for bird-watching opportunities to use his ‘scope’ (this year’s birthday present), I thought the old Caranex might come in handy as a quick shelter on a cold day, or a makeshift bird-hide.
Sitting in the sunshine on top of the cliffs at Hunstanton in mid October, I bravely thought I would give it a go. Bravely, because David was elsewhere, and I imagined I could do it alone. After all, it was a doddle to put up.
Emptying all the contents of the bag out onto the grass, I studied the poles, ringed with tape. Ah, obvious, match 1 ring to 1 ring, 2 to 2, 3 to 3 and so on, but some poles didn’t have rings on. Never mind …remember to peg down the base first, and drape the elasticated opening over the boot of the car. I ended up with 2 very long poles, and 2 rather shorter ones – which was a mystery, because although the long ones fitted nicely into the part of the tent that slopes back, the short ones were not long enough to meet the ground at the other end. As the gentle breeze grew stronger, I struggled inside mounds of heaving canvas trying to solve the puzzle. Where were the instructions!
A couple in a nearby car were enjoying this entertainment, and after a while, the man came over to ask if I needed help. I certainly did, but I wasn’t going to admit it.
“It’s so quick to put up normally” I mumbled, “I just need to remember how it goes! I’m sure my husband will know just how, when he gets back”. Actually, I wasn’t anxious for David to return and see the mess I’d got myself into! Pondering the problem with the poles, I decided to undo them and make them all the same length – and suddenly it clicked, and I remembered how it went – a taped pole to an un-taped pole (one purl, one plain was how I used to remember it) and suddenly it all made sense, just as David rejoined me.
Thinking about this afterwards, it struck me how many people learned about the Christian faith when they were younger, either at school, or Sunday school. But since growing up and having to cope with the pressures of work or bringing up a family, can have forgotten how it can make meaningful sense. Sometimes we are no longer sure where the instructions are, or whether we would understand them if we found them – and typically, we are reluctant to ask for help.
That said - if you would be interested in re-discovering the basics of the Christian faith and how these relate to our life now, please do get in touch, and I will be pleased to chat about what resources are out there to help you. Christine
Prayer Group
What is the Prayer Group? It is made up of members of All Saints’ Church who undertake to pray regularly, on an individual basis, for people who ask us for prayer support.
Who do we pray for? Anyone whom we are asked to remember; these might be people from our church, from our local community or others known to us.
What do we pray about? Anything which you would like brought before God; maybe anxiety due to illness, stress or loneliness. You can also tell us of a special day you wish to be remembered – perhaps for an interview or an exam. Any information will be treated in strictest confidence.
How can you let us know if you would like us to pray for you? You can telephone Christine (720234), drop a note through the Rectory door or send an e-mail to cmclark9@btconnect.com."
All Saints Amblers meet outside the Bell, 9.45am on Saturday 16th November for a walk in the country followed by a pub lunch. Children and dogs on leads welcome to join us.
Meeting Point
November
6th 10.30am at Christine’s, The Rectory, Odell.
20th 10.30am at Madeline Jeeves’s, 15 Horsefair Lane.
December
4th 10.30am at Jill’s, Rectory Farm.
All Saints’ Church Charitable Giving for the month of November
Our giving in November will be shared between the British Legion Poppy Appeal and the Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society (Combat Stress). Many still depend on these two organisations for all kinds of help including medical care and your generous giving enables continuous support for those damaged in body, mind and spirit by the ravages of war.
'Night Lights for Syria' - an evening of prayer for the people of Syria.
Wednesday November 13th, All Saints’ Church
The church will be open from 6.00pm - 9.00pm, with Prayer Stations and a video showing at 6.15pm, 7.15pm and 8.15pm.
Come along when you can, even if it's just for a short while, and add your prayer to those of others throughout the UK.
Churchyard Clear-up and bonfire
Saturday 2ndNovember
10am—12.30pm onwards
Please bring lunch (e.g. sausages, bacon etc to be cooked).
‘Churches Together’ Christmas Tree Festival
at Harrold United Reform Chapel
Saturday 7th December 12 noon – 6.00 pm
Sunday 8th December 2pm – 5.00pm
beautiful display of trees, Christmas music
and seasonal refreshments
Coffee Morning at Hobbs Green Farm
Christmas Hamper coffee morning
On 6th December
At Hobbs Green Farm
From 10.30am – noon
In aid of Bedford Women’s Refuge
Admission free Please bring Christmas Fayre
All Saints’Art Exhibition – Belated Announcement
The Art Exhibition held in All Saints’ Church in August made a profit of £1347.
Thank you to all who helped or contributed.
Happy birthday to
Georgina Ardley whose birthday is on the 29th November,
And to anyone else with a birthday in November.
All Saints’ Flower Rota
3rd All Saints’ Patronal Festival - Jane Eshelby
10th Remembrance Sunday - Carol Ormond
24th Faith Hartwell
Thank you to Will and Kate from The Bell, Odell for their kind sponsorship of a new football kit for Harrold & Carlton F.C. Under 15’s team – coached and managed by Odell resident Ian Scott.
The team play at a very high standard in Division 1 - Bedfordshire Youth League.
Helen Scott, Administrator (Kit & Equipment), Harrold & Carlton Football Club
Diary
November
2nd 10am Churchyard clear up and bonfire
2nd 10.30-4pm Putnoe Art Group Exhibition, Putnoe Heights Church
6th 10.30am Meeting Point at Christine’s, The Rectory
7th 10.30am Health Walk, HOCP
10th 10.30am Remembrance Day Service, All Saints’ Church
12th 7.30pm W.I., Village Hall
16th 9.45am All Saints’ Amblers meet at The Bell
16th 7.30pm Melvis, Village Hall
20th 10.30am Meeting Point at Madeline’s, 15 Horsefair Lane
21st 10.30am Health Walk, HOCP
25th 10am HOCP Conservation Tasks Day
30th 11-3pm Victorian Bazaar, Village Hall, The Moor, Carlton
December
4th 10.30am Meeting Point at Jill’s, Rectory Farm
5th 10.30am Health Walk, HOCP
6th 10.30am Christmas Hamper Coffee Morning, Hobbs Green Farm
7th 12 – 6pm Christmas Tree Festival Harrold United Reform Church
8th 2-5pm “ “ “ “
Magazine Deadline
Please send all entries for the joint December 2013/January 2014 magazine to Tricia Hudson (ed at odellbeds.net) or Catherine Corkery by November12th at the latest. May we remind you that the editorial team exercises the right to edit, shorten or alter any items that are submitted. Also, the opinions expressed in the articles are those of the contributors and are not the responsibility of the editorial team.